AMBODE COMMISSIONS ROTARY VOCATIONAL CENTRE, BUILT IN IGBOGBO BY ROTARY DISTRICT 9110, NIGERIA. | Shakiru Seidu. Oba Kasali, Sen. Ashafa, Chief Basorun, Comr. Daini, Otunba Olukoga, others, applaud the gesture.

Not many people would say things and bring them to reality. But in this case, it was a reality, when His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode commissioned Rotary Vocational Center and Oba Semiu Orimadegun Kasali Hall in Igbogbo, Lagos State. The Vocational Centre and Oba Semiu Orimadegun Kasali Hall which were being built by Rotary District 9110, Nigeria, as part of its effort towards providing economic empowerment and entrepreneurship for the community, were commissioned amidst notable personalities in the World.

At the ceremony, which was held on Monday, May 14, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode joined others, in applauding the Rotary Club International, District 9110, for the uncommon gesture. He said: "It gives me great pleasure to join Dr. Adewale Ogunbadejo, the Governor of Rotary International District 9110, Mrs Mary Beth Growney Selene, the representative of the Rotary International President and other notable Rotarians at the commissioning of the Rotary Vocational Center in Igbogbo.

"The completion and commissioning of this Vocational Center is a promised fulfilled by the Governor of Rotary International District 9110, Dr. Adewale Ogunbadejo, I am appreciative of the efforts of Rotary in Nigeria, as well as the various chapter under the supervision." Gov. Ambode added.

Mr Akinwunmi Ambode who was ably represented by Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, further said that a lot of communities have benefitted from the kind gesture of Rotary, cutting across critical sectors including health, education, environment and provision of basic amenities including water.

In his superlative speech, District Governor, Dr. Wale Ogunbadejo thanked His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiu Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Comr. Olusesan Daini, Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA and Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, a community leader who made the land available to the Club. He also thanked Senator Gbenga Bareehu Ashafa, representing Lagos East for establishing the link between the District and Chief Basorun. 

Dr. Ogunbadejo said: "I wish to reiterate that what we had in mind here, is a non-formal vocational training center, where many of the partially-educated, educated but unemployed youths can be taught skills with which they can become self-dependent and be taken off the streets. We also had it in mind a micro-credit component which we can't afford now but we shall still pursue in future." Same way, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun thanked the parties involved in the process and urged the youth to make use of the vocational training center.

Senator Gbenga Ashafa, in his view, reiterated the young ones of Lagos East Senatorial District to seize the opportunity to learn a skill /vocation. "The world has changed, while it is okay to aspire for work as an employee, a well honored vocation gives you the liberty to switch sides to the alternative balance of being employer of Labour". He added.

After approaching the podium, the Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Comr. Olusesan Daini expressed his profound gratitude to Rotary Club of Nigeria, District 9110, for their magnanimity. He said, “I am happy that we have all the stakeholders concerned on seat. It is an assurance that this project is going to stand the test of time. From the Council, we assure you that we are going to take care of this project. It is our vision that in the near future, Igbogbo will be a hub of a particular produce, owing to this project.” 

Other dignitaries present at the commissioning include Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, ably represented by Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, HRM Oba Semiu Orimadegun Kasali and his Chiefs, Sen. Gbenga Ashafa, Comr. Olusesan Daini, Comr. Fatiu Salisu, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, Alhaji Olawale Amusa, Chief Fausat Gbadebo, Mr Titilola Adegboyega, Hon Motunrayo Gbadebo, Mrs. Kalesanwo Oluwakemi Yetunde, the Director, Lagos State Agency for Mass Literacy, members of Igbogbo youths Coalition, District Governor Elect, Past District Governors, District Secretary, Club Presidents and several other district leaders among others.

SHAKIRU SEIDU
Publisher, MegaXpression Magazine.